Thabata Rosa Negrete

Biography and Expertise of Thabata Rosa Negrete

Thabata Rosa Negrete is emerging as a significant new voice in public health, championing an intercultural and critical approach to Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine (TCIM). Her academic journey at the Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), one of Latin America’s leading universities, has been defined by a deep commitment to exploring the nuanced connections between health, culture, and gender. Consequently, her work provides fresh insights into how healthcare systems can better serve diverse populations, particularly women.

Her expertise directly aligns with the 3rd WCTCIM’s motto, “Knowledge Diversity,” as her research methodologically centers on plural epistemologies and challenges conventional biomedical paradigms. By applying Cultural Studies and decolonial theories to women’s health within TCIM, Thabata Rosa Negrete addresses the Thematic Axis, “Diversity of TCIM Modalities,” from a unique social science perspective. She moves beyond cataloging practices to understand their cultural significance and transformative potential in real-world contexts.

Furthermore, as a Brazilian researcher, her work embodies the congress’s spirit of South-South collaboration. It brings to the forefront perspectives developed in the Global South that are essential for implementing the World Health Organization (WHO) Traditional Medicine Strategy in a culturally sensitive and equitable manner. Her focus on transformative care practices resonates with the goal of creating well-being societies, a key pillar of the congress.

Professional and Academic Journey

The professional trajectory of Thabata Rosa Negrete illustrates a thoughtful progression from clinical practice to systemic public health inquiry. Her path began with a solid foundation in nursing, providing direct experience in patient care and an understanding of the challenges in healthcare delivery. This hands-on background became the catalyst for her pursuit of broader solutions through management and research.

Subsequently, she transitioned into health administration to understand and improve the organizational structures that shape health outcomes. This experience in management honed her strategic thinking about resource allocation and service integration. This phase was a bridge to her current focus on academic research, where she addresses the cultural and social determinants of health on a macro scale. Her career is a testament to her commitment to creating more holistic and equitable health systems.

• Present: PhD Candidate in Public Health at Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), focusing on women’s health and TCIM from an intercultural perspective.
• 2023: Completed her Master of Science in Public Health at UNICAMP, with her dissertation focusing on women’s health and TCIM.
• 2016–2021: Undertook extensive training in Yoga with the International Yoga Teachers Association, gaining deep experiential knowledge of a key TCIM practice.
• 2011–2012: Developed expertise in healthcare systems by completing specializations in Health Management and Nursing Management at the Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP).
• 2009: Began her career in healthcare after earning her degree in Nursing from the Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL).

Academic Qualifications and Training

Thabata Rosa Negrete has built a robust and interdisciplinary academic foundation that uniquely positions her to conduct her pioneering research. Her education seamlessly integrates clinical knowledge, managerial science, and critical social theory, providing her with a comprehensive toolkit to analyze complex health issues. This diverse training enables her to bridge the gap between the practical realities of patient care and the abstract frameworks of public health policy.

Each qualification represents a deliberate step toward acquiring the skills needed to challenge and enrich the discourse on integrative health. From her initial nursing degree to her current doctoral studies, her academic path reflects a commitment to lifelong learning and intellectual curiosity. Beyond formal degrees, her dedicated training in practices like Yoga provides an embodied understanding that complements her scholarly work, making her a truly integrative researcher.

• PhD Candidate in Public Health (Present): Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Social Sciences in Health concentration.
• Master of Science (MSc) in Public Health (2023): Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP).
• Specialization in Health Management (2012): Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP).
• Specialization in Nursing Management (2011): Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP).
• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (2009): Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL).
• Yoga Teacher Training (2016–2021): International Yoga Teachers Association, Brazil.

Research Focus: Decolonizing Women’s Health

The research of Thabata Rosa Negrete is centered on creating a more inclusive and culturally attuned understanding of women’s health through the lens of TCIM. Her Master’s dissertation, titled “The power of embracing the complexity of being: women’s health and Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine,” signals a core theme of her work: moving beyond simplistic, one-size-fits-all health solutions. This research explored how women navigate and integrate diverse healing practices into their lives, highlighting the importance of holistic and person-centered care.

In her current doctoral research, Thabata Rosa Negrete deepens this inquiry by employing methodologies from Cultural Studies and intercultural and decolonial perspectives. This approach is critical for several reasons. Firstly, it allows for a rigorous analysis of power dynamics in healthcare, questioning whose knowledge is valued and why. Secondly, it provides a framework for understanding health and illness not just as biological events, but as lived experiences shaped by social and cultural contexts. Therefore, her work contributes vital evidence for building health systems that respect and incorporate diverse worldviews.

By focusing on plural epistemologies, she actively participates in the decolonization of health research, a crucial step for achieving the goals of the Gujarat Declaration and fostering genuine global health equity. Her work promises to yield important insights for policymakers, clinicians, and communities seeking to implement TCIM in a way that is both effective and ethically sound.

Contributions and Professional Engagement

While early in her academic career, Thabata Rosa Negrete actively contributes to the advancement of integrative health through her scholarly and practice-based engagements. Her deep immersion in the academic community at UNICAMP positions her at the heart of critical discussions shaping the future of public health in Brazil and beyond. Her work is a form of intellectual leadership that pushes the boundaries of conventional research.

Her engagement extends beyond theoretical work. Through years of dedicated training in Yoga and other integrative practices, she has cultivated an experiential expertise that informs and enriches her academic inquiry. This dual commitment to both scholarly rigor and embodied practice is a significant contribution, offering a model for how researchers can develop a more holistic understanding of TCIM. Therefore, her active participation in these different knowledge communities helps to build essential bridges between theory and practice.

• Advancing Critical Dialogues: Her research on decolonial approaches and interculturality actively contributes to academic discourse, challenging norms and promoting more inclusive perspectives in public health.
• Bridging Scientific and Traditional Knowledge: Through her work, she facilitates a more respectful and productive dialogue between modern science and traditional healing systems, emphasizing the unique value of each.
• Practice-Informed Scholarship: Her extensive training in Yoga provides a practical foundation that grounds her theoretical research, ensuring it remains relevant to the lived experiences of those who use TCIM.

Connect with Thabata Rosa Negrete

For a deeper look into the academic work and research profile of Thabata Rosa Negrete, you can consult her official curriculum on the Lattes Platform, the primary academic repository for researchers in Brazil. This platform provides comprehensive details on her publications, research projects, and academic background.

Lattes Curriculum (Official Academic Profile in Brazil): View on Plataforma Lattes

ORCID Profile: View on ORCID